Overview
Dr. Jeffrey R. Dawson's research centered on the interactions of natural killer cells (NK cells) with endothelial cells. His laboratory and others found significant, noncytotoxic effects of human NK cells on both allogeneic and xenogeneic endothelial cells--inducing an activated endothelial cell phenotype. Most of his studies focused on the activation of monolayers of porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC) by human NK cells in vitro. Incubation of CD56+ NK cells on PAEC monolayers for as little as 20 min leads to time-dependent changes in PAEC monolayer morphology. When NK-depleted effector cells were used, no morphological changes were observed in comparison with the same effectors before depletion. Purified human T cells or monocytes had no similar effect on PAEC. There was no detectable NK cell-mediated cytolytic activity during the 1 - 6 h of incubation of PBL with PAEC monolayers. In contrast, cytokine-activated NK cells (e.g., IL-2-activated NK cells) are very cytotoxic to PAEC. These observations suggested that unstimulated NK cells participate in endothelial cell activation leading to acute xenograft rejection, and cytokine-activiated NK cells may cause a cytotoxic, hyperacute rejection. The laboratory also discovered that huuman NK cells induce the expression of procoagulant activity by PAEC and their cell-surface expression of E-selectin.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Professor Emeritus of Immunology
·
2007 - Present
Integrative Immunobiology,
Basic Science Departments
Associate Dean Emeritus of Medical Education
·
2007 - Present
Integrative Immunobiology,
Basic Science Departments
Recent Publications
Natural killer cell-endothelial cell interactions in xenotransplantation.
Journal Article Immunol Res · 2000 Interest in xenotransplantation derives from the documented need for more organs and tissues than can be expected from living or cadaveric donors. Although the barriers to xenotransplantation are formidable, the scientific rewards in addressing these probl ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Enhanced Research Training Programs For Medical Students
Inst. Training Prgm or CMECo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1999 - 2004Same
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1980 - 2001Barrier To Xenotransplantation
ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1994 - 1999View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Case Western Reserve University ·
1969
Ph.D.